LOL that sounds unsafe, I dont want piece of broomstick go through my ears. But good information.

 

yea i have the same problem. constant squeak with engine idle. when i throttle up it stays constant with the revs. what did you guys say i could spray on to see if squeak goes away?

 

Allmotor, I just had the same thing as well, thought it was pulley's, so I replaced the idler but that didn't help, then replaced the belt and problem solved. To see if it's the belt, you can buy belt dressing, or the cheaper route of spraying some WD-40 on the belt (you don't need to spray a lot, just to get the underside a little moist). If the squeak goes away for even just a little while until the dressing, or WD-40 wears off, then it's your belt. If it were a pulley, the squeak would continue regardless.

 

His broomstick idea is valid. I use a long screw driver. Don't be stupid and injure yourself but don't be a *****. Only way to verify which pulley is making the noise.

 

just wanted to point somthing out...the things you guys are talking about spraying on the belt...i wouldnt. With the exception of belt dressing maybe. even that stuff be sparing. The only thing ive sprayed on a belt is usually a cleaner, like brake clean or something, mainly to clean the pullies and belt, because sometimes its just something like oil or grime on it causing it to slip. Things like WD-40 are lubricants...last time i checked you want the belt to grab not slip. Just a thought. And on that if you think you have a bad bearing, i sprayed the bearing directly with cleaning fluid and sound went away...short time obviously, but then can come back worse if you get in there and remove the greese keeping it quiet lol. you could spray that with WD-40 or silicone lube, if just make sure to avoid the belt. just my 2 cents.

 

Yeah, I agree with you 100%. Before I found which pulley was making the noise, I used wd40 to directly spray each pulley bearing to find which one was making the noise. I would never recommend using an oil, grease, or any lubricant to solve a squeek. You are merely masking the problem temporarily.

As for those using a screwdriver or broomstick, have fun with that one. I'm no *****, but I'm not going to risk injury for something as trivial as a pulley squeek. All I did to find which one was bad, was pop off the belt and physically and visually inspect each one. With the belt off, it was very easy to tell which one it was. The bearing was worn and the pulley spun irregularly. From the time I pulled off the belt to the time it took to put it back together after buying the new belt and pulley was, literally, 20 minutes of work. Very easy.

 

*****.............. lol this is still the way I do it. and IMHO the best and quickest way.

 

Using a screwdriver to pinpoint noise is good for the body of an alternator, p/s pump, water pump, etc. but I would never go directly on a pulley either.

 

The screwdriver/broomstick method is also helpful in locating valve train noise.

 

You don't even need a screwdriver or tool. You can do that with your hand. Hell, thats how I find dead plugs/wires, you can feel the tic it makes through the boot when they are bad.